New Delhi, 18 September 2025: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is driving India’s transport revolution with a “double engine” strategy focused on electrification and road safety. On Thursday, SIAM launched two flagship initiatives simultaneously at Bharat Mandapam: the 3rd Green Plate EV Rally under its *विद्युतीकरण* (Electrification) program and the 26th SAFE Annual Convention under its *सुरक्षित सफर* (Safe Journey) program.
Together, these events highlighted that India’s sustainable mobility future relies equally on clean vehicles and disciplined, safer driving practices.
The EV Rally, held in partnership with the Ministry of Heavy Industries, showcased India’s rapidly evolving electric ecosystem.
It featured 181 vehicles from 18 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), encompassing two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, buses, and trucks. Concurrently, the SAFE Convention brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss stricter enforcement of road safety, improved infrastructure, and responsible citizen behavior—critical components for building a greener, safer nation.
Delhi’s Chief Minister, Smt. Rekha Gupta opened the event by welcoming EV manufacturers into the expanding market of the capital and reaffirming Delhi’s commitment to achieving 100% electrification of public transport by 2026.
“Delhi has always been a hub of opportunities. To benefit our citizens, we are actively working to reduce air pollution and enhance public transport. I invite EV manufacturers to partner with us in creating a cleaner, greener Delhi, and I urge citizens to adopt electric mobility so that every third vehicle on our roads is electric,” she stated.
Industry representatives underscored the integrated agenda. Mr. Prashant K. Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, stated, “EVs are not just a future trend—they are a current reality, forming the foundation of a Sustainable India. This foundation will only be strong if we ensure safe roads. Electrification and safety are not parallel tracks; they are converging pathways.”
Other leaders highlighted the urgent need for collective accountability. Mr. Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), commented, “Road safety can only be ensured by integrating the entire chain, from drivers to data management to the legal system.”
Sushant Naik, Chairman of the SIAM Electric Mobility Group and President of SAFE, reflected, “Over 173,000 lives are lost each year in accidents. Safety cannot be an afterthought—it must start from the design and manufacturing stages and develop into a culture that we live by.”
SIAM’s dual-program event exemplified its broader strategic push, which includes six pillars: Electrification (*विद्युतीकरण*), Ethanol (*जैविक पहल*), Recycling (*चक्रीयता*), Safe Journey (*सुरक्षित सफर*), Gas-based Mobility (*गैस गतिशीलता*), and Hydrogen (*हरित हाइड्रोजन*).
Guest of Honour Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the Minister for Environment, Forest & Wildlife, Industries, Food & Supplies for the Government of NCT of Delhi, connected the day’s themes: “A progressive country advances in both sustainability and net-zero goals, visions championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Safer roads and cleaner vehicles are two sides of the same coin.”
At the SAFE Convention, leaders directly addressed India’s concerning accident statistics. “Accidents occur every minute, every hour—and it is not the vehicles but behavior that causes them,” emphasized CM Gupta, urging that compliance with road rules must become ingrained in our culture rather than merely enforced. The event also introduced SIAM’s SAFE Road Safety Context Paper, along with new initiatives aimed at engaging students in practicing road discipline.
By advancing electrification alongside road safety, SIAM has signaled that India’s mobility transformation is not just about replacing engines but also about reshaping behavior, infrastructure, and collaboration within the industry for a sustainable future.
